More Like Jesus – The Presidential Prayer Team

Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. – Luke 2:52

Very little is known of Jesus between the time of his infancy and early childhood until he began His ministry at the wedding in Cana. The exception is the time he remained at the temple in Jerusalem, right around the age of a Jewish boy’s bar mitzvah, where he was expounding on the prophets to the teachers there. But in today’s verse, Luke assures you that His childhood and youth was one in which He was being trained, by earthly parents and His Heavenly Father, in practical, down-to-earth things. In his young years, He found favor with those around Him and with His Father.

Growing in stature happens to most who have been blessed with healthy physical bodies. Growing in wisdom, which is often defined as the right application of knowledge, is something that is learned. Growing in favor is based on one’s externals of temperament, collegiality, empathy, humility, and godliness – traits one fosters and grows into along the way.

What character qualities have you endeavored to foster in your children, or encouraged in grandchildren, nephews, or nieces? Compassion? Tenderness? Justice? Are there some you are still working on in your own life as you reach toward being more like Jesus?

Pray for members of Congress, particularly the new freshmen members being installed in January, to recognize Jesus’ teaching that if they would be great, they should first be servants of all.

Today’s Verse: Luke 2:52

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Matthew 20:20-28

²⁰Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. ²¹And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” ²²Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” ²³He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” ²⁴And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. ²⁵But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. ²⁶It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, ²⁷and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, ²⁸even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”